55: Don't get yourselves killed.
**Aife pov**
After the conversation I had with Bane, I headed to Zion’s and Kala’s tent, my heart pounding with every step. The camp was too quiet for my liking, but the early morning chill seemed almost welcoming. It gave me a false sense of peace before I had to shatter it with words.
Soon, I stepped inside their tent, and I was immediately met with the familiar mix of warmth and concern radiating from them both. Zion sat on the edge of the bed, fingers laced loosely together, while Kala leaned against the wall, eyes trained on something in the corner.
Both of them looked up as I entered, and I hated how my own decisions made them worry, but I knew it had to be done.
“Morning,” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Morning,” Zion said, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He must’ve sensed the weight of what I was about to say.
I took a deep breath and braced myself. Like a band-aid, it was easier to just go and rip it off. “I made my decision. I’m going with Bane. I can’t stay here any longer knowing he needs me, and our child needs him.”
Zion’s brows furrowed as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You’ve thought this through?” His voice was calm but probing, as if he was trying to pull out every ounce of certainty I had.
“I’ve thought about it every way I can,” I said, my hands fidgeting with the edge of my shirt. “I know it’s dangerous, but staying here and doing nothing while he faces it alone - I can’t live with that choice.”
Kala tilted her head and hummed before she spoke.“And you expect us to come with you?”
I shook my head slightly. “I don’t expect anything. I want your advice, your thoughts. I need to know if you’ll stand with us, or if you’ll stay behind. Either way, I’ll respect it, but I need to hear it from you both.”
Zion leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Aife, this isn’t a small decision. Right now, Bane isn’t exactly the most predictable Alpha out there. And now you’re bringing the child into it.” His voice softened, but the concern was unmistakable. “You’re putting yourself in danger on top of everything else.”
I took a step closer to him. “I know what I’m doing, Zion. I’m not reckless, I’ve seen what he can do, and I trust him. I trust that together we can handle whatever comes. And I trust myself too. I’ve been running and afraid for so long, I can’t just let fear make my decisions for me anymore.”
Kala shifted and uncrossed her arms. “And the child? You think this is safe? You’re talking about going back to the pack with Bane.”
“Yes,” I said firmly and met her gaze. “Staying here doesn’t make it safer. The child is safer with us, if we’re together, strong, and careful. I won’t let him be alone, and I won’t let Bane face the monster alone either.”
Zion’s hands reached out and grabbed mine, squeezing gently. “You really mean that? You’re not just saying it out of, I don’t know, stubbornness?”
I shook my head, a small smile forming on my lips. “I mean every word. I’ve never felt this sure about anything in my life.”
He let out a low whistle, “I don’t know if I’d have the courage to do what you’re planning, Aife. Honestly, probably I wouldn’t.”
“Bane’s been practicing, controlling the monster more than anyone knows. He isn’t perfect, but he’s trying. And the beast is on our side.” I reminded them both.
Kala’s eyebrows shot nearly up to her hairline. “You really believe that?”
“I do, I’ve seen him hold it back, even when he’s tired and everything around him is chaos. And the beast has always protected us when we were in danger. I know he can do this.”
Zion’s lips curved into a small, appreciative smile. “You have a lot of faith, Aife.”
I chuckled and agreed, “I do, but if I don’t, what’s the point of standing by him? What’s the point of bringing the child into this world if we don’t fight for him?”
Kala looked away and spoke so softly, I almost missed the words. “I don’t know if I can fully trust him yet,” she admitted. “ But if you believe in him, maybe I can too.”
I reached over and placed my hand on her shoulder. “Just one chance, yes?”
Zion leaned forward, resting his chin in his hands. “And if something goes wrong?”
Although my heart broke at the question, I understood why he asked it and still forced a smile. “If anything at all goes wrong, Bane and I will protect each other and our child. That’s all we promised each other for now.”
Kala’s gaze softened and a ghost of a smile appeared on her lips.
Deep down, I knew that neither of them were ready to leave just yet. Zion was still healing, Kala had grown extremely close to the brute that was now healing too and I was sure she didn’t want to leave the camp until she was sure he’d be okay.
But also, surprisingly, I didn’t mind their decision as much as I thought I would.
I made my decision, they were entitled to theirs and by not following, Zion and Kala handed Bane and me an unique chance to work on our relationship the way we should’ve done that from the very beginning.
As the silence washed over us, I couldn’t help but smile because for one, it felt light and almost liberating.
Looking at Zion and Kala, I saw the mix of fear and acceptance in their gazes, and that only strengthened my resolve even more - I was making the right decision.
“I’ll be leaving soon,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence. “Bane is ready, and we need to move carefully. I just wanted you both to know before we go. And to ask if you’ll come with us, or stay here, but I think I got the answer without either of you saying it out loud.”
Kala and Zion exchanged glances, communicating in that silent language they loved to use before Zion cleared his throat and spoke up. “For now, it’s pretty much impossible, especially with me healing and Kala getting so close to the due date. We still support both of you, but it could be a little too early for us to return home.”
I couldn’t help but smile, despite the tears that spilled over. “I understand.”
Kala looked away to hide her own tears and grumbled, “just don’t get yourselves killed, okay?”
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